[Chloe le Bopper]

I don't even mean just for this tie - I mean ever.

I realize he's been selected in the past, and he certaintly isn't going to play singles over Roddick or Blake at the moment.

But surely he is every bit the doubles player that Todd is, and even more so than Mardy?

The guy won a doubles masters series title this year - did they even consider him?

Did he have a rift with the USTA?

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Unless they are playing James-Todd in doubles...but I doubt they'd put that much stress on James

Even still, that doesn't explain Mardy over Jan Michael.

 

[kalforpete]

They need Todd around for his experience and stablizer for the team. Besides the fact he is quite a good doubles player. He also has more experience and better record on clay than any of them. He can step in as a singles player or play doubles. Gambill is no where near the doubles player that Todd is. Todd is 8-3 for this year in doubles while Gambill is 21-16.

As for Fish over Gambill, Fish and Blake has already won a doubles match in DC this year, just as Blake and Todd has. Fish is better on clay than Gambill. Fish has a 13-10 record for doubles.

It probably didn't help that Pat Mc remembered the USA's dismal performance on clay against Spain in 2000. Gambill was a part of that team.

 

[roddicktennisbabe]

Man, wouldn't it be cool if JMG played in the DC too? That'd just make my day... Todd Martin (as well as Pete in the next 2 years) is bound to be done with tennis soon so be sure that JMG will probably play one day soon! But now would be a great time, wouldn't it? Andy, James, Mardy, AND JMG? The new, hip, young, and next generation of American Men's tennis- NOW! LOL! That'd be so cool...
~Mindy

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Gambill has played doubles with a number of partners, and found success with a few, while a number didn't work out.

I wasn't suggesting he should play over Todd, I know why Todd is there.

I was suggesting he should play over Mardy, who still makes no sense to me.

Mardy has won a doubles match in DC< because he had the opportunity. Another time I didnt' understand why he was selected.

A 13-10 record, is no more impressive than 21-16.

Furthermore, Gambill won a Masters Series on clay this year in doubles. Where the hell was Patty mac?

 

[the cat]

Good point Becca. But if Blake or Roddick pull up lame with an injury, you're going to have to have Martin or Fish play singles in their place in a best of five set match on clay!

The American team better win the doubles and hope for a split in singles, because Roddick and Blake are relatively inexperienced and they're up against it.

 

[kalforpete]

Becca,

No, 13-10 isn't anymore impressive than 21-16. Neither one is that impressive but I think it all boils down to Fish is better on clay than Gambill.

Pat Mac was there when Gambill and Bhupathi won Hamburg. Pat Mac was also there when Fish/Roddick won Houston's doubles on clay. I think where the difference comes in is Fish has played much better on clay than Gambill. Seems like I remember Fish saying he liked playing on clay. Gambill doesn't.

As I said earlier, Pat Mac was also there when Gambill lost in DC on clay to Spain.

If I had to choose between Todd, Gambill and Fish, my choice would be Todd anyday in doubles or singles. After having watched both Gambill and Fish play, I'd be more inclined to go with Fish over Gambill, too.

 

[TheBoiledEgg]

Todd Martin might be 32 but he is 100 times better than Gambill on clay

 

[AtPGiRL]

Because Gambill SUCKS!!! lol!

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

I should really stress this again, this isn't about WHY Todd was picked, it is about WHY Mardy was picked over Gambill.

And not just this tie.,..

What about the tie against Spain on grass? Why was Mardy picked over Jan Mike for that?

I am willing to accept the explanation that Mardy is more at home on clay than Jan Mike (though he hasn't proved anything on it either, has he?), but on grass?

This isn't an attack on Mardy by the way. It is just be confused about why someone appears to be getting the cold shoulder.

 

[Gonzo Hates Me!]

I personally think Gambill is not reliable and no where near as good as some of the other Americans: Roddick, Agassi, Blake...

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

I don't think that Gambill is as good as Agassi, Blake, or Roddick either.

But that doesn't explain getting shafted for Mardy, twice this year

 

[kalforpete]

Becca,

I think, but am not sure without backtracking information, that Gambill was still having problems with his shoulder when Pat Mac picked the team in January for the first tie in February. That was when James Blake and Fish played partners. In the second tie against Spain, it was Todd and James that played doubles. I'm not even sure Fish was on the team the second time. If he was, it was as a hitting partner.

 

[Pea]

How about WHY the Bryans wasn't picked?!?!?!

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

kalforpete - thanks for all the info It makes a little more sense now

Pea - I think the Bryans aren't picked, because they aren't as strong as back up singles players as Todd would be.

 

[roddicktennisbabe]

Pea - I think the Bryans aren't picked, because they aren't as strong as back up singles players as Todd would be.

Exactly what I was gonna say... what if Andy or James, God-forbid, hurt themselves? We need strong doubles as well as strong enough singles... JMG would be a good option too- don't worry about it girls- he'll be in there soon enough...Go USA!

 

[bis2806]

Gambill isn't picked coz they're afraid that he and roddick will be together all the time in paris and make out with each other... hahhhaahhaha.... and therefore there's no concentration on their matches..... LOL

just kiddin...

 

[bis2806]

what do u guys think

 

[tennischick]

in hinsight i still don't thinkGambill would have added any value to the team. except perhaps as a distraction...

 

[bis2806]

ok... i think andy roddick and gambill are gays.... i hope they can confess one day..... it was brave of mauresmo and navratilova to come out and confess to the public... i hope it happen in men's tennis... it's gotta start with andy roddick and gambill